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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STRliT 

WnSTIR.N.Y.  USSO 

(716)«73-4S03 


A^ 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Inttituta  for  Historical  IMicroreproductions  /  institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  liistoriquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notes  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquas 

The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 

L'institut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  4t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-ttre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqute  ci-dessous. 

Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

W 

Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

Covers  damaged/ 
1 — 1   Couverture  endommagte 

^_ 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^  et/ou  peiliculAe 

^~- 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculies 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

v/ 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dAcolories.  tacheties  ou  piquies 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  dAtachtes 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
1 1   Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

>/ 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  inAgale  de  I'impression 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
..,._    Relii  avec  d'autres  documents 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matilriel  suppliimentaire 

The 
tot 


The 
pot 
oft 
film 


Orif 
beg 
the 
•ioi 
oth 
firs 
•ior 
ori 


0 


D 


□ 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr6e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intArieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouttes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais.  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  hx^  fiimtes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires: 


I — I    Only  edition  available/ 


D 


Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une  pelure, 
etc..  ont  M  filmtes  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


The 
sha 
TIN 
whi 

Mai 
diff( 
enti 
beg 
righ 
reqi 
met 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


»X 


y 


12X 


16X 


20X 


a4x 


28X 


32X 


e 

fttails 
•  du 
todifier 
r  une 
Image 


Th*  copy  filin«d  b»n  has  baan  raproducad  thanks 
to  tha  g'^T^arosity  of: 

University  of  British  Columbia  Library 


Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibiiity 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Icuaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacif ications. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covers  ara  fiimad 
baginnbig  with  tha  front  covar  and  ending  on 
tha  last  page  with  a  printad  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  tita  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copias  ara  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^»>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  largs  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner  left  to 
right  end  top  to  bottom,  as  many  fram«s  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  fiimA  fut  reprodult  grice  i  la 
g4n4rositA  da: 

University  of  British  Columbia  Library 


Lee  imagas  suivantes  ont  At*  raproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattati  de  I'exempiaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmaga. 

Les  exempiaires  originaux  dont  la  couvarture  an 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'imprjssion  ou  d'iilustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  las  autres  exempiaires 
originaux  sont  fllmte  an  commanqant  par  la 
pramiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
darnlAre  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  y  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
film*s  k  des  taux  de  rMuction  diff«rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  ciich*.  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  h  drolte, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrant  la  mAthode. 


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Hit  Honour,  William  Phillips,  the  President  of  the 
Muiachaiettt  Peace  Society;  to  the  Hon.  Thomab 
Dawbs,  the  Vice  President;  ftnd  to  the  other  Offieert 
of  that  Institution, 


GElTTLCMEir, 


The  approbation  with  which  you  hare  favour^ 
ed  the  following  discourse  desenres  my  grate- 
ful acknowledgments.  I  am  truly  happy  to 
mbmit  it  to  the  publick  under  your  patronage. 
The  Society,  which  has  committed  to  you  the 
lirection  ot  its  affairs,  has  my  best  wishes  and 
fervent  prayers.  I  rejoice,  that  I  have  lived  to 
nritness  its  formation.  The  existence  of  an  in- 
stitution for  the  promotion  of  peace,  is  an  en- 
;ouraffing  indication  of  the  improvement  of 
mblick  opinion,  and  of  the  diffusion  of  the  spirit 
>f  Christianity.  Not  many  years  ago,  such  an 
issociation  must  have  encountered  great,  if  not 
insuperable  obstacles.  But  HE,  whose  pre- 
rogative it  is  Co  bring  ffood  from  evil,  has 
iwal^ned  multitudes  of  Christians,  by  the  late 
tremendous  calamities  of  war,  to  a  sense  of  its 
lilt  and  madness.  Never  before  were  so 
jany  minds  directed  to  the  true  character, 
to  the  undisgnoised  horrours  of  this  barba- 
rous usage.  The  time,  I  trust,  is  coming, 
jwhen  it  will  be  accounted  no  small  honour 
[to  have  been  among  the  earliest  labourers 
m  the  work  of  mitigating  and  abolishing  war. 


■  -  *',.  --.  ~  ■--■ 


..*■- l™.-.-M 


'^»^WW«5v3it*^*:jK»MK:f?-^  X 


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• . 


IV 


The  cause  is  God's,  and  must  prevail.  The 
spirit,  which  you  are  labouring  to  diffuse, 
is  Christ's,  and  it  must  triumph  over  the  spirit 
and  passions  of  the  world.  May  God  grant 
you  tne  happiness  of  witnessing,  in  this  jour 
day,  the  fruits  of  your  labours ;  of  witnessmff  a 
new  impulse  communicated  to  the  Christian 
world,  a  new  sympathy  and  cooperation  ex- 
cited in  different  nations,  in  favour  of  peace. 
But  should  the  seed,  which  vou  sow,  yield  no 
immediate  harvest,  you  will  yet  have  your 
reward.  The  influence  of  the  principles, 
which  you  have  espoused,  though  not  develop- 
ed in  sudden  and  conspicuous  effects,  will  be 
silently  and  gradually  extended^  until  in  an 
happier  age  it  will  break  forth  and  issue  in| 
the  pacification  of  the  world.  There  is  a, 
satisfaction,  known  onlv  to  the  heart  which  | 
feels  it,  in  cherishine  these  hopes  of  the  pro- 
gress of  society  and  Christian  truth. 

That  your  Society  may  receive  constant  ac-i 
cessions  of  strength  and  numbers ;  that  the  zeal 
of  its  members  may  bear  some  proportion  toi 
the  sublimity  and  beneficence  of  its  object ^  that' 
similar  institutions  may  be  multiplied  in  this  and^ 
in  everv  country;  And  that  their  labours, 
issuing  from  the  spirit  of  Christ,  may  be  crown-' 
«d  witn  his  favour ;  is  the  ardent  wish  of 

Tour  obedient  servantt 

Toiir  sincere  friend,  and 

Tour  felloir  labourar  in  the  erase  of  peace* 

WILUAM  Ei  CHANNINCf. 


--*■■■, *-. 


•^A*w.- 


■^=s*.--*^~. 


SERMON,  ^c. 


tsaiah,  £d  chap.  4th  Terse.    Nation  shall  not  lift  up  sword 
against  nation,  neither  shall  they  learn  war  any  more. 

:  I  HAVE  chosen  a  subject,  which  may  seem  at 
jBrst    view  not  altogether  appropriate  to  the 
fpreseut  occasion — the  subject  of  war.    It  may 
[06  thought,  that  an  address  to  an  assembly 
[composed  chiefly  of  the  ministers  of  reh'gion, 
[should  be  confined  to  the  duties,  the  dangers, 
land  encouragements,  which  belong  to  the.sacred 
[office.   If  an  apology  be  necessary  for  a  devia- 
tion from  the  ordinary  discussions  of  this  day, 
would  observe,  that  the  subject,  which  I  have 
selected,  has  strong  and   peculiar  claims  on 
Christian  ministers.     Their  past  neglect  of  it 
is  their  reproach;  and  it  is  time,  my  breth- 
ren, that  this  reproach  were  wiped  away ;  that 
>ur  obligations,  ds  ministers  of  the  Prince  of 
)eace,  should  be  better  understood  and  more 
leeply  felt;  and  that  our  influence  should  be 
Soinbined    in    illustrating  and   enforcing   ti  e 
[lighted    and    almost    forgotten    precepts   oi 
Christianity   on  the  subject  of  war.     I   have 
)een  induced   to  select  this  topick,  because, 
ifter  the  slumber  of  ages.  Christians  seem  to 
)e  awakening  to  a  sense  of  the  pacifick  cha- 
racter of  their  religion,  and  because  I  under- 


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stood,  that  this  Convention  were  at  this  anni- 
versary to  consider  the  interesting  question, 
whether  no  method  could  be  devised  for  en- 
lightening the  publick  mind  on  the  nature  and 
guilt  of  the  custom  of  war.  I  was  unwilling 
that  this  subject  should  be  approached  and 
distiiissed  as  an  ordinary  affair.  I  feared,  that 
in  the  presure  of  business,  we  might  be  satis- 
fied with  the  expression  of  customary  disap- 
probation ;  and  that,  having  in  this  way  relieved 
our  consciences,  we  should  relapse  into  our 
former  indifference,  and  should  continue  to 
hear  the  bowlings  of  this  dreadful  storm  of 
human  pasisions  with  as  much  unconcern  as 
before.  \  wished — perhaps  it  v/as  a  presump- 
tuous wish,  perhaps  a  humbler  office  would 
have  been  more  wisely  chosen — but  I  wished 
to  awaken  in  your  breasts  a  firm  and  holy 
purpose,  to  toil  and  suffer  in  the  great  work 
of.  abolishing  this  worst  vestige  of  barbarism, 
this  grossest  outrage  on  the  principles  of  Chris- 
.  tianity. — The  dayl  trust  is  conung,  whenChris- 
i-  tians  will  look  back  with  gratitude  and  affection 
on  those  men,  who,  in  ages  of  conflict  and 
bloodshed,  enlisted  under  the  banner  of  phi- 
lanthropy and  peace,  cherished  generous 
hopes  ot  human  improvement,  withstood  the 
violence  of  corrupt  opinion,  held  forth,  amidst 
the  general  darkness,  the  pure  and  mild  light 
of  Christianity,  and  thas  ushered  in  a  new  and 
peaceful  era  in  the  history  of  mankind.  My  | 
fathers  and  brethren  I  In  that  day  of  triumph  1 
to  the  church,  may  it  be  recorded,  that  in  this 


* 


;>  ■ 


=4: 


,*!'? 


ags  of  war  and  crime,  there  were  not  wanting 
those,  who  looked  with  mingled  indignation, 
horrour  and  grief,  on  the  woes  inflicted  by  man 
on  his  brother ;  and  who  never  fainted  in  their 
toils  to  infuse  the  spirit  of  mercy  and  peace, 
into  their  fellow-beings. 

The  miseries  and  crimes  of  war,  its  sources, 
its  remedies,  will  be  the  subjects  of  our  present 
[attention. — In     detailing      its     miseries     and 
icrimes,  there   is   no  temptation  to  recur   to 
mreal  or  exaggerated  honours.   No  strength, 
lo  depth  of  colouring  can  approach  reality. 
[t  is  lamentable,  that  we  need  a  delineation  of 
the  calamities  of  war,  to  rou.se  us  to  exertion, 
^he   mere  idea  of  human   beings  employing 
ivery  power  and  faculty  in  the  work  of  mu- 
|ual  destruction,  ought  at  once   to  strike   a 
lorrour  into  our  minds.     But  on  this  subject, 
Kir  sensibilities  are  dreadfully  sluggish  and 
lead.     Our  ordinary  sympathies  seem  to  for- 
sake us,  when  war  is  named.     The  sufierings 
fand  death  of  a  single  fellow-being  often  excite 
|a  tender  and  active  compassion  :   but  we  hear 
{without  emotion  of  thousands  enduring  every 
[variety  of  wo  in  war.     A  single  murder  in 

{)eace  thrills  through  our  frames.  The  count- 
,  ess  murders  of  war  are  heard  as  an  amusing 
tale.  The  execution  of  a  criminal  depresses 
the  mind,  and  philanthropy  is  labouring  to 
substitute  milder  punisl|gyents  iov,  death.  But 
benevolence  has]  hardly'  made'  an  effort  to 
[snatch  from  sudden  and'^iintimely  death,  the 
inQumerabl«  victims  immolated  on  the  alt3S» 


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of  war.  This  insensibility  demands,  that  the 
miseries  and  crimes  of  war  should  be  often 
placed  before  us  with  minuteness,  with  energjf 
with  strong  and  indignant  emotion. 

The  miseries  of  war  may  be  easily  conceiv* 
cd  from  its  very  nature.  By  war,  we  under- 
stand the  resort  of  nations  to  force,  violence, 
and  the  most  dreaded  methods  of  destruction 
and  devastation.  In  war,  the  strength,  skilly 
courage,  energy,  and  resources  of  a  whole 
people  are  concentrated  for  the  infliction  of 
pain  and  death.  The  bowels  of  the  earth  are 
explored,  the  most  active  elements  combined, 
the  resources  of  art  and  nature  exhausted,  to 
increase  the  power  of  man  in  destroying  his 
fellow-creatures. 

Would  you  learn  wImU  destruction  man, 
when  thus  aided,  can  spread  around  him? 
Look  at  that  extensive  region,  desolate  and 
overspread  with  ruins ;  its  forests  rent  and 
leafless,  as  if  blasted  by  lightning;  its  villages 
prostrated,  as  by  an  earthquake;  its  fields 
barren,  as  if  swept  by  storms.  Not  long  ago, 
the  sweet  influences  of  heaven  descended  on 
no  happier  or  more  fruitful  region  than  this. 
But  ravaging  armies  prowled  over  it;  war 
frowned  on  it;  and  its  fruitfulness  and  happi- 
ness are  fled.  Here  were  gathered  thousands 
and  ten  thousands  from  distant  provinces,  not 
to  embrace  as  brethren,  but  to  renounce  the 
tie  of  brotherhood;  and  thousands,  in  the 
vigour  of  life,  when  least  prepared  for  deathi 


K'    > 


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-...^„....X, 


were  hewn  down  and  scattered  like  chaff  be- 
fore the  whirlwind. 

Repair,  my  friends,  in  thought,  to  a  field  of 

recent  battle.     Here,  are  heaps  of  slain,  we!" 

tering  in  their  own  blood,  their  bodies  mangled^ 

their  limbs  shattered,  and  in  many  a  form  and 

countenance  not  a  vestige  left  of  their  former 

selves.     Here,  are  multitudes  trodden  under 

[foot,  and  the  war-horse  has  left  the  trace  of 

lis  hoof  in   many  a  crushed   and   mutilated 

[frame.      Here,  are   severer   sufferers;    they 

live,   but   live   without   hope   or  consolation. 

Justice  despatches  the  criminal  with  a  single 

Istroke ;  but  the  victims  of  war,  falling  by  casual, 

^undirected   blows,   often   expire  in   lingering 

jigony,  their  deep  groans  applying -in  vain  to 

compassion,    their  limbs   wntning  with  pain 

m  the  earth,  their  lips  parched  with  a  burning 

thirst,  their  wounds  open  to  the  chilling  air, 

ihe  memory   of  tender   relatives  rushing  on 

their  minds,  but  not  an  accent  of  friendship  or 

'comfort   reaching    their  ears.      Amidst    this 

i-ficene  of  horrours,  you  see  the  bird  and  beast 

of  prey  drinking  the  blood  of  the  dead,  arid 

^vitn  a  merciful  cruelty  ending  the  struggles 

>f  the  dying:  and,  still  more  melancholy  !  you 

see   human   plunderers,  bereft  of  all   human 

^jmpathy,  turning  a  deaf  ear  on  tl>e  wounded, 

ind  rifling  the  warm  end  almost  palpitating 

Remains  of  the  slain. — If  you  extend  your  eye 

beyond    the   immediate  field  of  battle,    and 

follow  the  track  of  the  pursuing  and  victorious 

(rmy,you  see  the  roads  strewed  with  the  dead; 

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joii  see  gcattered  flocks,  and  harvests  trait'' 
pled  under  foot,  the  smoking  ruins  of  cottages, 
and  the  miserable  inhabitants  flying  in  want 
and  despair ; — and  even  yet,  the  horrours  of  a 
single  battle  are  not  exhausted.  Some  of  the 
deepest  pangs,  which  it  inflicts,  are  silent, 
4[  A.  retired,  enduring,  to  be  read  in  the  counte- 
nance of  the  widow,  in  the  unprotected  orphan, 
in  the  aged  parent,  in  aflection  cherishing  the 
memorj'  of  the  slain,  and  weeping  that  it  could 
not  minister  to  their  last  pangs. 

I  have  asked  jou  to  traverse  in  thought,  a 
field  of  battle.    There  is  another  scene  often 

r resented  in  war,  perhaps   more  terrible—- 
refer  to  a  besieged  city.     The  most  horrible 
pages  in  history  are  those,  which  record  the 
reauction  of  strongly  fortified  places.    In   a 
besieged   city,  are  collected  all  descriptions 
,^;  ;     and  ages  of  mankinds  women,  children,  the 
old,  the  infirm.     Day  and  night  the  weapons  # 
of  death  and  conflagration  fly  around  them. 
^They   see   the   approaches   of  the    foe,   the 
trembling  bulwark,  and  the  fainting  strength 
of   their  defenders.      They   are   worn   with 
famine,  and  on  famine  presses  pestilence.     At 
length  the  assault  is  made,  every  barrier  is 
broken  down,  and  a  lawless  soldiery,  exaspe- 
rated  by    resistance,  and   burning  with  lust 
'  and  cruelty,  are  scattered  through  the  streets. 
The  domestiok  retreat,  and  even  the  house  of 
God,    is   no   longer  a  sanctuary.    Venerable 
^  .-       age  is  no  protection.     Female  purity  no  de- 
fence.   Jn  presence  of  the  dying  husband,  ai^ 


■* 


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>itJIJ^l^^0H^.i*^mi^ 


'**^''''^»4tet«.'..«»*iiJbiM'««lii 


9  traM-' 
ottages, 
in  want 
jrs  of  a 
\  of  the 
I  silenti 
counte- 
orphan, 
ling  the 
it  could 

>ught,  a 
le  often 
rrible— 
horrible 
:ord  the 
I.  In  a 
;riptions 
ren,  the 
^eapons  s- 
\d  them, 
be,  the 
itrensth 
rn  with 
ice.  At 
irrier  is 
exaspe- 
ith  lust 

streets, 
louse  of 
merable 

no  de- 


r^: 


'^ 


the  murdered  child,  the  wife  is  spared,  not 
from  mercy,  but  to  gratify  the  basest  passion. 
These  are  heart-rending  scenes,  but  history 
abounds  with  them;  and  what  better  fruits 
can  you  expect  from  war  ? 

These  views  are  the  most  obvious  and 
striking  which  War  presents,  and  therefore  I 
have  given  them  the  first  place.  But  the  hor- 
rours  of  war  are  not  yet  exhausted.  There 
are  more  secret  influences,  which,  while  they 
appeal  less  powerfully  to  the  senses  and  ima- 

f Illation,  will  deeply  affect  a  reflecting  and 
enevolent  mind. 

Consider,  first,  the  condition  of  those  who 
are  immediately  engaged  in  war  ?  The  sufier- 
ings  of  soldiers  from  battle  we  have  seen ; 
but  their  sufferings  are  not  limited  to  the  pe- 
riod of  conflict  The  whole  of  war  is  a  sue- 
cession  of  exposures  too  severe  for  human 
nature.  Death  employs  other  Weapons  than 
the  sword.  It  is  computed,  that  in  ordinary 
wars,  g'*eater  numbers  perish  by  sickness  than 
in  battle.  Exhausted  by  long  and  rapid 
marches,  by  unwholesome  food,  by  exposure 
to  storms,  by  excessive  labour  under  a  burn- 
ing sky  through  the  day,  and  by  interrupted 
and  restless  sleep  on  the  damp  ground  and^ 
under  the  chilling  atmosphere  of  night,  thou- 
sands after  thousands  of  the  young  pine  away 
and  die.  They  anticipated  that  they  should 
fall,  if  to  fall  should  be  their  lot,  in  what  they 
called  the  field  of  honour ;  but  they  perish  in 
the    inglorious  and  crowded    hospital,    sur« 


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rounded  with  sights  and  sounds  of  wo,  far  from 
home  and  every  friend,  and  denied  those  ten- 
der offices  which  sickness  and  expiring  nature 
require.        -  ; -'^'ai-- -/,/;.:■..:  _;^w-.<i^  .K^-ir-;  :/■•■'"■-„  . 

But  do  not  stop  here.  Consider  the  influence 
of  war  on  the  character  of  these  unhappy  men. 
Their  trade  is  butchery — their  business  de- 
struction. They  hire  themselves  for  slaughter, 
place  themselves  servile  instruments,  passive 
machines,  in  the  hands  of  unprincipled  rulers, 
to  execute  the  bloodiest  mandates,  without 
reflection,  without  mercy,  without  a  thought  on 
the  justice  of  the  cause  in  which  they  are 
engaged.  What  a  school  is  this  for  the  human 
character?  From  men  trained  in  battle  to 
ferocity  and  carnage,  accustomed  to  the  per- 
petration of  cruel  deeds,  accustomed  to  take 
tiuman  life  without  sorrow  or  remorse,  habitu- 
ated to  esteem  an  unthinking  courage  a  sub- 
stitute for  every  virtue,  encouraged  by  plunder 
to  prodigality,  taught  improvidence  by  per- 
petual hazard  and  exposure,  restrained  only 
by  an  iron  discipline  which  is  withdrawn  in 
peace,  and  unfitted  by  the  restless  and  irregu- 
lar career  of  war  for  the  calm  and  uniform 
pursuits  of  ordinary  life  ;  from  such  men,  what 
can  be  expected  but  hardness  of  heart,  pro- 
fligacy of  life,  contempt  of  the  restraints  of 
society,  and  of  the  authority  of  God  ?  From 
the  nature  of  his  calling,  the  soldier  is  almost 
driven  to  sport  with  the  thought  of  death,  to 
defy  and  deride  it,  and  of  course,  to  banish  the 
thought  of  that  judgment  to  which  it  leads; 
and  though  of  all  men  the  most  exposed  to 


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70,  far  from 
1  those  ten- 
ring  nature 

le  influence 
lappj  men. 
isiness  de- 
'  slaughter, 
its,  passive 
lied  rulers, 
!S,  without 
thought  on 
I  they  are 
the  human 
I  battle  to 
to  the  per- 
iod to  take 
rse,  habitu- 
age  a  sub- 
by  plunder 
le  by  per- 
ained  only 
thdrawn  in 
iind  irregu- 
id  uniform 
men,  what 
leart,  pro- 
istraints  of 
d  ?  From 
ir  is  almost 
f  death,  to 
banish  the 
1  it  leads; 
exposed  to 


ludden  death,  lie  is  too  o(ien  of  all  men,  most 
inprepared  to  a-^^pear  before  the  bar  of  God. 
The  influeiiit  of  war  on  the  community  at 
large,  on  its  prosperity,  its  morals,  and  its  po- 
litical institutions,  though  less  striking  than  on 
the  soldiery,  is  yet  most  baleful— How  often  is 
community  impoverished  to  sustain  a  war  in 
^hich  it  has  no  interest.  Publick  burdens  are 
Aggravated,  whilst  the  means  of  sustaining 
lem  are  reduced.  Internal  improvements 
re  neglected.  The  revenue  of  the  state  is  ex- 
[austed  in  military  establishments,  or  flows 
irough  secret  channels  into  the  cofiers  of 
>rrupt  men,  whom  war  exalts  to  power  and 
Ice.  The  regular  employments  of  peace 
j^re  disturbed.  Industry  m  many  of  its 
liranches  is  suspended.  The  labourer,  ground 
rith  want,  and  driven  to  despair  by  the  cla- 
lour  of  his  suffering  family,  becomes  a  soldier 
a  cause  which  he  condemns,  and  thus  the 
mntry  is  drained  of  its  most  effective  popula- 
ion.  The  people  are  stripped  and  reducedi 
rhilst  the  authors  of  war  retrench  not  a  com<« 
>rt,  and  often  fatten  on  the  spoils  and  woes  of 
leir  country. 

But  the  influence  of  war  on  the  morals  of 
>ciety  is  still  more  fatal.  The  suspension  of 
bdustry  and  the  pressure  of  want  multiply 
lice.  Criminal  modes  of  subsitence  are  the 
(source  of  the  suff*ering.  Publick  and  pri- 
ite  credit  are  shaken.  Distrust  and  fear 
ike  place  of  mutual  confidence.  Commerce 
icomes  a  system  of  stratagem  and  collusioa ; 


*  *' 


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ST 


n 


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i.  3 


~'^^--^m-W''m.  < 


K..^--,-»m^  *^pMr<*^«- 


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10 


<< 


HA"" 


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<*:: 


and  the  principles  of  justice  receive  a  shock 
which  many  years  of  peace  are  not  able  to 
repair. 

In  war,  the  moral  sentiments  of  a  commu- 
nity are  perverted  by  that  admiration  of  mili- 
tary exploits,  to  which  every  people  is  inclined, 
and  which  is  studiously  cherished  by  those 
who  have  an  interest  in  prolonging  the  con- 
test. Every  eye  is  fixed  on  the  conqueror,  and 
every  tongue  busy  with  his  deeds.  The  mild- 
er virtues  of  Christianity  are  eclipsed  by  the 
baleful  lustre  thrown  round  a  ferocious  cou- 
rage. The  disinterested,  the  benignant,  the 
mercifuK  the  forgiving,  those  whom  Jesus  has 
pronounced  blest  and  honourable,  must  ^ive 
place  to  the  hero,  whose  character  is  stained 
not  only  with  blood,  but  sometimes  with  the 
foulest  vices;  but  all  whose  stains  are  washed 
away  by  victory.      *    ;^   i  ^  ij    >  "  -  ^u     •".^.: 

Once  more.  War  diffuses  through  a  com- 
munity -unfriendly  and  malignant  passions. 
Nations,  exasperated  by  mutual  injuries,  burn 
for  each  others  humiliation  and  ruin.  They 
delight  to  hear  that  famine,  pestilence,  want, 
defeat,  and  the  most  dreadful  scourges  which 
providence  sends  on  a  guilty  world,  are  deso- 
lating a  hostile  community.  The  slaughter  of 
thousands  of  fellow-beings,  instead  of  awak- 
ing pity,  flushes  them  with  delirious  joy, 
illuminates  the  city,  and  dissolves  the  whole 
country  in  revelry  and  riot.  Thus  the  heart 
of  man  is  hardened.  His  worst  passions  are 
nourished.    He  renounces  the  bonds  and  sym^ 


"v 


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;,*- 


*•■■',.,■ 


11 


i. 


pathieg  of  humanity.  Were  the  prayers,  or 
[rather  the  curses  of  warring  nations  preva- 
lent in  heaven,  the  whole  earth  would  long 
since  have  become  a  desert.  The  human  race, 
[with  all  their  labours  and  improvements,  would 
have  perished  under  the  sentence  of  universal 
[extermination. 

But  war  not  only  assails  the  prosperity  and 
lorals  of  a  community;  its  innuence  on  the 
)olitical  condition  is  alarming.  It  arms  govern- 
nent  with  a  dangerous  patronage,  multiplies 
lependants  and  instruments  of  oppression,  and 
venerates  a  power,  which,  in  the  hands  of  the 
inergetick  and  aspiring,  can  hardly  fail  to 
prostrate  a  free  constitution.  War  organizes 
body  of  men,  who  lose  the  feelings  of  the 
citizen  in  the  soldier;  whose  habits  detach 
fhcni  from  the  community ;  whose  ruling  pas- 
jion  is  devotion  to  a  chief;  who  arc  inured 
In  the  camp  to  despotick  sway ;  who  are 
iccustomed  to  accomplish  their  ends  by  force, 
und  to  sport  with  the  rights  and  happmess  of 
[heir  fellow-beings ;  who  delight  in  tumult, 
idventure,  and  peril ;  and  turn  with  disgust 
md  scorn  from  tne  quiet  labours  of  peace,  fs 
[t  wonderful,  that  such  protectors  of  a  state 
ihould  look  with  contempt  on  the  weakness 
]f  the  protected,  and  should  lend  themselves 
lase  instruments  to  the  subversion  of  that 
reedom  which  they  do  not  themselves  enjoy  ? 
h-In  a  community,  in  which  precedence  is 
Jiven  to  the  military  profession,  freedom  can- 
not   long    endure.  *    The    encroachments   of 


■? 


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if. 


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1 

- 

12 

U'f 

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tmL  .,_ 

> 

,-jC' 


power  at  home  are  expiated  by  foreign  tri- 
umphs.    The  essential  interests  and  rights  of  j 
the  state  are  sacrificed  to  a  false  and  fatal  | 
glory.    Its  intelligence  and  vigour,  instead  of 
presenting  a  bulwark  to  domestick  usurpation, 
are  expended  in  military   uchievements.     Its  1 
most  active  and  aspiring  citizens  rush  to  the 
army,  and  become  subservient  to  the  power  ■ 
whicii  dispenses  honour.     The  nation  is  vie-  ] 
torious,  but  the  recompense  of  its  toils  is  a  ^ 
yoke  as  galling  as  that  which  it  imposes  on 
other  communities. 

Thus,  war  is  to  be  ranked  among  the  most . 
dreadful  calamities  which  fall  on  a  guiltj 
world;  and,  what  deserves  consideration,  and 
gives  to  war  a  dreadful  pre-eminence  among 
the  sources  of  human  misery,  it  tends  to  mul- 
tiply and  perpetuate  itself  without  end.  It 
feeds  and  grows  on  the  blood  which  it  sheds,,^ 
The  passions,  from  which  it  springs,  gain 
gtrength  and  fury  from  indulgence.  The  suc- 
cessful nation,  flushed  by  victory,  pants  for 
new  laurelsj;  whilst  the  humbled  nation,  irri- 
tated by  defeat,  is  impatient  to  redeem  its 
honour  and  repair  its  losses.  Peace  becomes 
a  truce,  a  feverish  repose,  a  respite  to  sharpen  | 
anew  the  sword,  and  to  prepare  for  future 
struggles.  Under  professions  of  friendship, 
lurk  hatred  and  distrust ;  and  a  spark  suffices 
to  renew  the  mighty  conflagration.  When 
from  these  causes,  large  military  establish- 
ments are  formed,  and  a  military  spirit  kindled, 
war  becomes  a  necessary  part  of  policy.    A 


«.  ,^  .-  ^,  ^  :m  -. ,.  .^.  ...     .^  ^._ ._£,. 


t'S^i^ 


1im,.  •'    .(•fltttt^'MtitP' <"»>•«.' 


.««»'    "      <^..,^r...^'H*— i<..-J*i.   ,<|fc«»5.- 


-«#Jt-.- 


13 


>reign  field  must  be  found  for  the  energies 
md  passions  of  a  martial  people.  To  disband 
i  numerous  and  veteran  soldiery^  would  be  to 
let  loose  a  dangerous  horde  on  society.  The 
>lood-hounds  must  be  sent  forth  on  other 
communities,  lest  they  rend  the  bosom  of  their 
»wn  country.  Thus  war  extends  and  multi- 
>lies  itself.  No  sooner  is  one  storm  scattered, 
lan  the  sky  is  darkened  with  the  gathering 
^orrours  of  another.  Accordingly,  war  has 
^een  the  mournful  legacy  of  every  generation 
that  which  succeeds  it.  Every  age  has  had 
ts  conflicts.  Every  country  has  in  turn  been 
le  seat  of  devastation  and  slaughter.  The 
rarest  interests  and  rights  of  every  nation 
ive  been  again  and  again  committed  to  the 
izards  of  a  game,  of  all  others  the  most  un«  . 
srtain,  and  m  which,  from  its  very  nature, 
iccess  too  often  attends  on  the  fiercest  courage 
nd  the  basest  fraud.       . ;     .    ,  f^      "^ 

Such,  my  friends,  is  an  unexaggerated,  and 
will  add,  a  faint  delineation  of  the  miseries 
|f  war ;  and  to  all  these  miseries  and  crimes 
lie  human  race  have  been  continually  expos- 
Id,  for  no  worthier  cause,  than  to  enlarge  an 
Empire  already  tottering  imder  its  unwieldy 
[eight,  to  extend  an  iron  despotism,   to  sup ! 
Sort    some    idle    pretension,    to    repel    some 
jnreal  or  exaggerated  injury.  For  no  worthier 
luse,  human  blood  has  been  poured  out  as 
rater,  and  millions  of  rational  and  immortal 
jings   have  been   driven   like  sheep  to  the 
feld  of  slaughter. 


it 


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Ministei's  of  the  Prince  of  peace !  sent  to 
your  feilow-beinss  with  a  message  of  love, 
sent  to  breathe  the  spirit  of  charity  and  kind 
afiection  around  you !  can  you  look  without 
aching  hearts  on  the  scenes  which  have  been 
pourtrayed,  on  men,  on  brethren,  on  children 
of  one  father,  on  disciples  of  the  same  Lord, 
studying  the  arts  of  mutual  destruction,  plung- 
ing the  sword  into  each  others  breasts,  and 
exerting  in  the  work  of  desolajlion  and  death 
those  exalted  powers,  which  ally  them  with 
angels  and  with  God ;  and  which,  under  the 
guidance  of  benevolence,  would  change  the 
world  into  a  paradise  ?  Is  it  not  your  duty  to 
employ  every  faculty,  every  legitimate  means 
of  mfluence,  for  the  abolition  of  war  ? 

But  how,  it  will  be  said,  can  we  contribute 
to  the  abolition  of  war  ?  Has  not  war  its 
origin  in  the  ambition  of  princes  ?  and  how 
shall  we  obtain  an  influence  over  courts  and 
cabinets,  and  sway  the  minds  of  those,  whose 
power  and  station  almost  place  them  beyond 
the  reach  of  instruction  ? — -It  is  indeed  true, 
that  the  ambition  of  rulers  is  a  frequent  cause 
of  war.  The  desire  of  building  up  their 
power  at  home,  or  of  extending  their  empire 
abroad ;  of  surpassing  other  sovereigns,  trieir 
natural  and  only  rivals ;  of  signalizing  their 
administration  by  brilliant  deeds ;  and  of  at- 
Iractine:  louder  applause  than  ordinarily  attends 
on  pacHick  vutucs ;  this  aspinng  principle  has 
in  all  ages  thrown  the  world  into  tumult.  But 
the  ambition  of*  rulers  does  i>ot  lie  at  the  root 


^  ■  :«r  • 


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15 


of  war.  Wo  must  remember,  that  ambition  is 
.directed  and  inflamed  bj  publick  opinion. 
nVere  there  not  a  propensity  in  the  mass  of 
men,  to  give  honour  to  warlike  triumphs,  ru- 
lers would  never  rsek  distinction  in  this  bloody 
career.  The  deepest  and  most  operative 
causes  of  war  are  to  be  found  in  the  univer-^^ 
sal  pi'inciples  of  human  nature,  in  passions 
which  sway  all  classes  of  men  ;  and  thcrieforc, 
religious  instructors,  whose  office  it  is  to  ope- 
rate on  the  human  heart,  and  to  purify  its 
principles,  may  do  more  than  any  other  men 
to  counteract  the  causes  of  war. 

To  assist  us  in  this  work,  let  us  inquire  into 
the  passions  and  principles  which  generate 
war ; — and  here,  I  doubt  nut,  many  will  imagine 
that  the  first  place  ought  to  be  given  to  malig- 
nity and  hatred.  But  justice  to  human  nature 
requires,  that  we  ascribe  to  national  ani- 
mosities a  more  limited  operation,  than  is 
usually  ascribed  to  them,  m  the  production 
of  this  calamity.  It  is  indeed,  true,  that  anir 
bitious  men,  who  have  an  interest  in  war,  too 
often  accomplish  their  views  by  appealing  to 
the  malignant  feelings  of  a  community,  by 
exaggerating  its  wrongs,  ridiculing  its  forbear- 
ance, and  reviving  ancient  jealousies  and 
resentments.  But  it  is  believed,  that  were  not 
malignity  and  revenge  aided  by  the  concur- 
rence of^  higher  principles,  the  false  splendour 
of  this  barbarous  custom  might  easily  be  ob<- 
jscured,  and  its  ravages  stayed,    / 


-«' 


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One  of  the  great  springs  of  trar  may  be 
found  in  a  very  strong  and  general  propensity 
of  human  nature ;— in  the  love  of  excitement, 
of  emotion,  of  strong  interest — a  propensity 
which  gives  a  charm  to  those  bold  and  hazard- 
ous enterprizes  which  call  forth  all  the  ener- 
gies of  our  nature.  No  state  of  mind,  not 
even  positive  suffering,  is  more  painful  than 
the  want  of  interesting  objects.  The  vacant 
heart  preys  on  itself,  and  often  rushes  with 
impatience  from  the  security  which  demands 
no  effort,  to  the  brink  of  peril.  This  part  of 
human  nature  is  seen  in  the  kind  of  pleasures 
which  have  always  been  preferred.  Why  has 
the  first  rank  among  sports  been  given  to  the 
chace  }  Because  its  difficulties,  hardships,  ha- 
zards, tumults,  awaken  the  mind,  and  give  to  it 
a  new  consciousness  of  existence,  and  a  deep 
feeling  of  its  powers.  What  is  the  charm 
which  attaches  the  statesman  to  an  office 
which  almost  weighs  him  down  with  labour 
and  an  appalling  responsibility  ?  He  finds 
much  of  his  compensation  in  the  powerful 
emotion  and  interest,  awakened  by  the  very 
hardships  of  his  lot,  by  conflict  with  vigorous 
minds,  by  the  opposition  of  rivals,  and  \iy  the* 
alternations  of  success  and  defeat.  What  hur- 
ries to  the  gaming-table  the  man  of  prosper- 
ous fortune  and  ample  resource }  The  dread 
of  apathy,  the  love  of  strong  feeling  and  of 
mental  agitation.  A  deeper  interest  is  felt  in 
hazarding,  than  in  secunng  wealth,  and  the 
temptation  is  irresistible.    One  more  exaotiple 


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of  this  propensity  may  be  seen  in  the  attach- 
ment of  pirates  md  highway-men  to  their 
dreadful  employment.  Ita  excess  of  peril 
has  given  it  a  terrible  interest;  and  to  a  man 
tvhu  has  long  conversed  with  its  dangers,  the 
ordinary  pursuits  of  life  are  vapid,  tasteless, 
and  disgusting.  We  have  here  one  spring  of 
war.  War  is  of  all  games  the  deepest,  awak-* 
ening  most  powerfully  the-soul,  and,  of  course, 
presenting  powerful  attraction  to  those  restless 
and  adventurous  minds,  which  pant  for  scenes 
of  greater  experiment  and  exposure  than 
peace  affords.  The  savage,  finding  in  his  un- 
cultivated modes  of  life  tew  objects  of  inter- 
est, few  sources  of  emotion,  burns  for  war  as 
a  field  for  his  restless  energy.  The  sovereign, 
bred  as  he  is  in  indulgence,  satiated  with 
luxury,  and  secluded  from  pursuits  which  fur- 
nish materials  of  interest  to  the  great  mass  of 
his  subjects,  is  often  the  victim  of  weariness 
and  discontent,  and  stakes  his  crown,  that  he 
may  feel  the  agitations  of  hazard,  of  peril,  and 
of  great  events.  The  whole  mass  of  a  conima- 
nity  also  find  a  pleasure  in  war,  as  an  excite- 
ment of  the  mind.  They  follow,  with  an  eager 
concern,  the  movements  of  armies,  and  wait  tho 
issue  of  battles  with  a  deep  suspense,  an 
alternation  of  hope  and  fear,  inconceivably 
more  interesting  than  the  unvaried  uniformity 
of  peaceful  pursuits.  ^ 

Another  powerful  principle  of  our  nature, 
which  is  the  spring  of  war,  is  the  passion  for 
superiority,    for  triumph,  for    power.      The 

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human  mind  is  strongly  marked  by  this  fea- 
ture. It  is  aspiring,  impatient  of  inferiority, 
and  eager  of  pre-eminence  and  control,  f 
need  not  enlarge  on  the  preilominanee  of  this 
passion  in  rulers,  whose  love  of  power  if 
mfluenced  by  the  possession,  and  whc  are 
ever  restless  to  extend  their  sway.  It  is  more 
important  to  observe,  that  were  this  desire 
restrained  to  the  breasts  of  rulers*  war  would 
move  with  a  sluggish  pace.  But  the  passion 
for  power  and  superiority  is  universal ;  and  as 
every  individual,  from  his  intimate  union  with 
the  community,  is  accustomed  to  appropriate 
its  triumphs  to  himself,  there  is  a  general 
promptness  to  engage  in  any  contest,  by  which 
the  community  may  obtain  an  ascendancy  over 
other  nations.-'The  desire,  that  our  country 
should  surpass  all  others,  would  not  be  crimi- 
nal, did  we  understand  in  what  respects  it  is 
most  honourable  for  a  nation  to  excel ;  did  we 
feel,  that  the  glory  of  a  state  consists  in  inteU 
lectual  and  moral  superiority,  in  pre-eminence 
of  knowledge,  freeaom  and  purity.  But  to 
the  mass  of  a  people,  this  form  of  pre-eminence 
is  too  refined  and  un-substantial.  There  is 
another  kind  of  triumph  which  they  better 
understand,  the  triumph  of  physical  power, 
triumph  in  battle,  triumph,  not  over  the  minds, 
but  the  territory  of  another  state.  Here  is  a 
palpable,  visible  superiority;  and  for  this,  a 
people  are  willing  to  submit  to  severe  priva- 
tions. A  victory  blots  out  the  memory  of  their 
jsufienngs,  and  in  boasting  of  their  extended 


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power,  they  find  a  compensation   for  manj 
woes. 

1  now  proceed  to  another  powerful  spring 
of  war,  and  it  is  the  admiration  oi'  the  brilliant 
qualities  which  are  often  displaced  in  war. 
These  qualities,  more  than  all  things,  have 
prevented  an  impression  of  the  crimes  and 
miseries  of  this  savage  custom.  Many  delight 
in  war,  not  for  its  carnage  and  woes,  but  for 
its  valour  and  apparent  magitanimity,  for  the 
self-command  oi  the  hero,  the  fortitude  which 
despises  suffering,  the  resolution  which  courts 
danger,  the  superiority  of  the  mind  to  the 
body,  to  sensation,  to  fear.  Let  us  be  just 
to  human  nature  even  in  its  errours  and  ex* 
cesses.  Men  seldom  delight  in  war,  considered 
merely  as  a  source  of  misery.  When  they  hear 
of  battles,  the  picture  which  rises  to  their 
view  is  not  what  it  should  be,  a  picture  of 
extreme  wretchedness,  of  the  wounded^  the 
mangled,  the  slain.  These  horrours  are  hidden 
under  the  splendour  of  those  mighty  energfies, 
which  break  forth  amidst  the  perils  of  conflict, 
and  which  human  nature  contemplates  with  an 
intense  and  heart-thrilling  delight.  Atttntion 
hurries  from  the  heaps  of  the  slaughtered  to 
the  victorious  chief,  whose  single  mind  per- 
vades and  animates  a  host,  and  directs  with 
stern  composure  the  storm  of  battle  ;  and  the 
ruin  which  he  spreads  is  forgotten  in  admira- 
tion of  his  power.  This  admiration  has,  in  all 
ages,  been  expressed  by  the  most  unequivocal 
signs.     Why  that  garland  woven  .'*   that  arch 


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erected  ?  that  festive  board  spread  ?  These 
are  tributrs  to  the  Warriour.  Whilst  the 
peaceful  sovereign,  who  scatters  blessings  with 
the  silence  and  constancy  of  Providence,  is 
received  with  a  faint  applause,  men  assemble 
in  crowds  to  hail  the  conqueror,  perhaps  a 
monster  in  human  form,  whose  private  life  is 
blackened  with  lust  and  crime,  and  whose 
greatness  is  built  on  perfidy  and  usurpation. 
Thus  war  is  the  surest  and  speediest  road  to 
renown  5  and  war  will  never  cease,  while  the 
field  of  battle  is  the  field  of-  glory,  and  the 
most  luxuriant  laurels  grow  from  a  root  nou- 
rished with  blood.  ?>;!•:-* 

Another  cause  of  war  is  a  false  patriotism. 
It  is  a  natural  and  a  generous  impulse  of  nature 
to  love  the  country,  which  gave  us  birth,'  by 
whose  institutions  we  have  been-  moulded,  by 
whose  laws  defended,  and  with  whose  soil  and 
scenery  innumerable  associations  of  early  years, 
of  domestick  affection,  and  of  friendship,  have 
been  formed  But  this  sentiment  often  dege- 
nerates into  a  narrow,  partial,  exclusive  attach- 
ment, alienating  us  from  other  branches  of  the 
human  family,  and  instigating  to  aggression 
on  other  states.  In  ancient  times,  this  principle 
was  developed  with  wonderful  energy,  and 
8omr3times  absorbed  every  other  sentiment. 
To  the  Roman,  Rome  was  the  universe.  Other 
nations  were  of  no  value  but  to  grace  her 
triumphs,  and  illustrate  her  power;  and  he« 
who  in  private  life  would  have  disdained  in- 
justice and  oppression,  exulted  in  the  success^ 


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ful  vio1en<^e,  by  ti^hirh  other  nations  wer6 
bound  to  the  chariot  wheels  of  this  mistress  of 
the  world.  This  spirit  still  exists.  The  tie 
of  country  is  thought  to  absolve  men  from  the 
obligations  of  universal  justice  and  humanity. 
Statesmen  and  rulers  are  expected  to  build  up 
their  own  country  at  the  expense  of  others;  and 
in  the  false  patriotism  of  the  citizen,  they  have 
a  security  for  any  outrages,  which  are  sanc- 
tioned by  success.  ?  •^ 

Let  me  mention  one  other  spring  of  war.— 

1 1  mean  the  impressions  we  receive  in  early 

life.      In    our   early    years,    we    know    war, 

[only  as  it  offers  itself  to  us  at  a  review ;  not 

arrayed   in  horrour,  not   scattering  wo,   not 

stalking  over  fields  of  the  slain  and  desolated 

regions,  its  eye   flashing   with  fury,   and   its 

swoi*d  reeking  with  biood — No.     War,  as  we 

first  see  it,  is  decked   with  gay  and  splendid 

[trappings,  and  wears  a  countenance  of  joy.   It 

Imoves  with  a  measured  and  graceful  step,  to 

[the  sound  of  the  heart-stirring  fife  and  drum. 

Ilts  instruments  of  death  wound  only  the  air. 

[Such  is  war;  the  youthful  eye  is  dazzled  with 

[its  ornaments  ;  the  youthful  heart  dances  to  its 

tnimated  sounds.     It  seems  a  pastime  full  of 

spirit  and  activity,  the  very  sport  in   which, 

^outh  delights.     These  false  views  of  war  are 

confirmed  by  our  earliest  reading;     We  are 

intoxicated  witht  the  exploits  of  the  conquer^ 

►r,  as  recorded  in  real  history  or  in  glowing 

iction.     We  follow,   with  a  sympathetica  ar- 

lour,  his  rapid  and  triumphant  career  in  battle ; 


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and,  unused  as  we  are  to  sufifcring  and  death, 
forget  the  fallen  and  miserable  who  are  crush*- 
ed  under  his  victorious  car.  Particularly  by 
the  study  of  the  ancient  poets  and  historians 
the  sentiments  of  early  and  barbarous  ages  on 
the  subject  of  war  are  kept  alive  in  the  mind. 
Tho  trumpet,  which  roused  the  fury  of  Achil« 
les  and  ot  the  hordes  of  Greece,  still  resounds 
in  our  ears ;  and  though  christians  by  profes- 
sion, some  of  our  earliest  and  deepest  impres- 
sions are  received  in  the  school  of  uncivilized 
antiquity.  Even  where  these  impressions  in 
favour  of  war  are  not  received  in  youth,  we 
yet  learn  from  our  early  familiarity  with  it,  to 
consider  it  as  a  necessary  evil,  an  essential  part 
of  oUr  condition.  We  become  reconciled  to 
it  as  to  a  fixed  law  of  our  nature ;  and  consider 
the  thought  of  its  abolition  as  extravagam  as 
an  attempt  to  chain  the  winds  or  arrest  the 
h'ghtning. 

I  have  thus  attempted  to  unfold  the  princi- 
pal causes  of  war.  They  are,  you  perceive,  of 
fi  moral  nature.  They  may  be  resolved  into 
wrong  views  of  human  glory,  and  into  excesses 
of  certain  passions  and  desires,  which  by  right 
direction,  would  promote  the  best  interests  of 
humanity.  From  these  causes  we  learn,  that 
this  savage  custom  is  to  be  repressed  by  moral 
means,  by  salutary  influences  on  the  sentiments 
and  principles  of  mankind.  To  Christian 
ministers  then  the  work  of  suppressing  war 
peculiarly  belon^.s         *  -        ^ 


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By  these  remarks,  we  are  naturally  led  to 
consider  the  remedies  of  war,  or  the  metliods 
of  its  abolition;  and  here,  in  introducing  the 
observations  which  I  have  to  ofier  on  this 
branch  of  the  subject,  I  feel  uiyself  bound  to 
suggest  an  important  caution.  Let  not  the 
cause  of  peace  be  injured  by  the  assertion 
of  extreme  and  indefensible  principles.  1  par- 
ticularly refer  to  the  principle,  that  war  is  ab- 
solutely, and  in  all  possible  cases  unlawful,  and 
prohibited  by  Christianity.  This  doctrine  is 
considered  by  a  great  majority  of  the  judicious 
and  enlightened,  as  endangering  the  best  in- 
terests of  society  ;  and  it  ought  not  therefore 
to  be  connected  with  our  efforts  for  the  diffu- 
sion of  peace,  unless  it  appear  to  us  a  clear 
and  indubitable  truth.  War,  as  it  is  com- 
monly waged,  is  indeed  a  tremendous  evil ; 
but  national  subjugation  is  a  greater  evil  than 
a  war  of  defence  ;  and  a  community  seems  to 
me  to  possess  an  indisputable  right  to  resort 
to  such  a  war,  when  all  other  means  have 
failed  for  the  security  of  its  existence  or 
freedom.  It  is  universally  admitted,  that 
a  community  may  employ  force  to  repress 
the  rapacity  and  violence  of  its  own  citi- 
zens, to  disarm  and  restrain  its  internal 
foes;  and  on  what  ground  can  we  deny  to  it 
the  right  of  repelling  the  inroads  ar-d  aggres- 
sions of  a  foreign  power?  It'  a  government 
may  not  lawfully  resist  a  foreign  army,  invad- 
ing its  territory  to  desoiate  and  subdue,  on 
what  principles  can  wo  justify  a  resistance  of 


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a  combination  of  its  own  citizens  for  the  same 
injurious  purpose.  Government  is  instituted 
for  the  very  purpose  of  protecting  the  com- 
munity fioin  all  violence,  no  matter  by  what 
hands  it  may  be  offered ;  and  rulers  would  be 
unfaithful  to  their  trust,  were  they  to  abandon 
the  rights,  inturests,  and  improvements  of 
society  to  unprincipled  rapacity,  whether  of 
domestick  or  forei{Tn  foes. 

We  are  indeed  told,  that  the  language  of 
scripture  is,  '*  resist  not  evil.'*  But  the  scrip- 
tures are  given  to  us  as  reasonable  beings. 
We  must  remember,  that  to  the  renuncia- 
tion of  re'ason  in  the  interpretation  of 
scripture,  we  owe  those  absurdities,  which 
have  sunk  Christianity  almost  to  the  level  of 
heathenism.  If  the  precept  to  "  resist  not 
evil"  admit  no  exception,  then  civil  government 
is  prostrated  ;  then  the  magistrate  must,  in  no 
case,  resist  the  injurious;  then  the  subject 
must,  in  no  case,  employ  the  aid  of  the  laws 
to  enforce  his  rights.  The  very  end  and  ofiice 
of  goverr.ment  is,  to  resist  evil  men.  For  this, 
the  civil  magistrate  bears  the  sword  ;  and  he 
should  beware  of  interpretations  of  the  scrip- 
tures, which  would  lead  him  to  bear  it  in  vain. 

The  doctrine  of  the  absolute  unlawfulness 
of  war  is  thought  by  its  advocates  to  be  ne- 
cessary to  a  successful  opposition  to  this  bar- 
barous custom.  But,  were  we  employed  to 
restore  peace  to  a  cotitentious  licighbourhood, 
we  should  not  cojisidcr  ou)nelvcs  as  ohli^ed 
to  leach,  that  self-dtience  is  in  G\QYy  possible! 


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case  a  crime ;  and  equally  useless  is  this  prin- 
ciple in  our  labours  for  the  pacification  of  the 
world.  Without  taking  this  uncertain  and 
dangerous  ground,  we  may,  and  ought  to  as- 
sail war,  by  assailing  the  principles  and  pas- 
sions which  give  it  birth,  and  by  improving  and 
exalting  the  moral  sentiments  of  mankind. 

For  example ;  important  service  may  be  ren- 
dered to  the  cause  of  peace,  by  communicating 
and  enforcing  just  and  elevated  sentiments  in 
relation  to  the  true  honour  of  rulers.  Let  us 
teach)  that  the  prosperity,  and  not  the  extent 
of  a  state,  is  tne  measure  of  a  ruler's  glory ; 
that  the  brute  force  and  crooked  policy  which 
annex  a  conquest,  are  infinitely  inferiour  to  the 
wisdom,  justice,  and  beneficence  which  make 
a  country  happy ;  and  that  the  earth  holds  not 
a  more  abandoned  monster,  than  the  sovereign, 
who,  entrusted  with  the  dearest  interests  of  a 
people,  commits  them  to  the  dreadful  hazards  of 
war,  that  he  may  extend  his  prostituted  power, 
and  fill  the  earth  with  his  worthless  name.  Let 
us  exhibit  to  the  honour  and  veneration  of  man- 
kind the  character  of  the  Christian  Ruler,  who, 
disdaining  the  cheap  and  vulgar  honour  of  a 
conqueror,  aspires  to  a  new  and  more  endur- 
ing glory ;  who,  casting  away  the  lon^  tried 
weapons  of  intrigue  and  violence,  adheres 
with  a  holy  and  unshaken  confidence  to  justice 
and  philanthropy,  as  a  nation's  best  defence ; 
and  who  considers  himself  as  exalted  by  God, 
only  that  he  may  shed  down  blessings,  and  be 
as  a  beneficent  deity  to  the  world. 

3  , 


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^       To  these  instructions  in  relation  to  the  true 

f  glory  of  rulers,  should  be  added  just  sentiments 
as  to  the  glory  of  nations.  Let  us  teach,  that 
the  honour  of  a  nation  consists,  not  in  the  forced 
and  reluctant  submission  of  other  states,  but  in 
equal  laws  and  free  institutions,  in  cultivated 
fields  and  prosperous  cities,  in  the  development 
of  intellectual  and  moral  power,  in  the  diifu- 
sion  of  knowledge,  in  magnanimity  and  justice, 
in  the  virtues  and  blessings  of  peace.  Let  us 
never  be  weary  in  reprobating  that  infernal 
spirit  of  conquest,  by  which  a  nation  becomes 
the  terrour  and  abhorrence  of  the  world,  and  in- 
evitably prepares  a  tomb,  at  best  a  splendid 
tomb,  for  its  own  liberties  and  prosperity. 
Nothing  has  been  more  common,  than  for  na- 
tions to  imagine  themselves  gre^t  and  glorious 
on   the  ground  of  foreign   conquest,  when  at 

''  home  they  have  been  loaded  with  chains,  and 
forced  to  lick  with  the  tongue  of  flattery,  the 
hand  of  a  despot.  Cannot  these  gross  and 
monstrous  delusions  be  scattered  ?  Can  no- 
thing  be  done  to  persuade  christian  nations 

'  to  engage  in  a  new  and  untried  race  of  glo- 
ry, in  generous  competitions,  in  a  noble  con-* 
test  for  superiority  in  wise  legislation  and  inter- 
nal improvements,  in  the  spirit  of  liberty  and 
humanity  ? 

Another  most  important  method  of  promot- 

»  ing  the  cause  of  peace  is,  to  turn  men's  admi- 
ration from  military  courage  to  qualities  of  real 
nobleness  and  dignity.  It  is  time  that  the 
childish   admiration  of  courage   should  give 


** 


.  *-. .  ■  '* 


27 


\'V 


place  io  more  manly  sentiments ;  9.hd  in  pro- 
portion as  wc  effect  this  change,  ive  shall  shake 
the  main  pillar  of  war ;  we  shall  rob  military 
life  of  its  chief  attraction. — Courage  is  a  very 
doubtful  quality,  springing  from  very  different 
sources,  and  possessing  a  corresponding  variety 
of  character*  Courage  sometimes  results  from 
mental  weakness.  Peril  is  confronted,  because 
the  mind  wants  comprehension  to  discern  its 
extent.  This  is  often  the  courage  of  youth, 
the  courage  of  unreflecting  ignorance,  a  con- 
tempt of  peril  because  peril  is  but  dimly  seen. 
— Courage  still  more  frequently  springs  from 
physical  temperament,  from  a  rigid  fibre  and 
iron  nerves,  and  deserves  as  little  praise-,  as  the 
proportion  of  the  form,  or  the  beauty  of  the 
countenance. — Again,  every  passion,  which  is 
strong  enough  to  overcome  the  passion  of  fear, 
and  to  exclude  by  its  vehemence  the  idea  of 
danger,  communicates  at  least  a  temporary 
courage.  Thus  revenge,  when  it  burns  with 
great  fury,  gives  a  terrible  energy  to  the  mind, 
and  has  sometimes  impelled  men  to  meet  cer- 
tain death,  that  they  might  inflict  the  same  fate 
Ion  an  enemy.  You  see  the  doubtful  nature  of 
[courage.  It  is  often  associated  with  the  worst 
vices.  The  most  wonderful  examples  of  it  may 
be  found  in  the  history  of  pirates  and  robbers, 
whose  fearlesness  is  generally  proportioned  to 
the  insensibility  of  their  consciences,  and  to  the 
enormity  of  their  crimes.  Courage  is  also  ex- 
hibited with  astonishing  power  m  barbarous 
oountries,  where  the  child  is  trained  to  despise 


iiVl 


■^ 


f 


i. 


■■'  -I'm  mitui  -M 


■'»■  —  '      ■  W»".1lli.< 


■ ■iTJfnTii    iWH-Jli 


■*."- 


sr;;X:^2rntr-^"'^^-*--~--*^-';r^3; 


» . 


«"/• 


jpit 


28 


•Xv 


Vr*' 


Vijt 


*^' 


the  hardshiper  and  pains  to  which  he  is  exposed 
bj  his  condition ;  where  the  absence  oi  civil 
laws  obliges  every  man  to  be  his  own  defend- 
f  er;  and  where,  from  the  imprrfection  of  moral 
feentimentt  corporeal   strengti     and   ferocious 
courage  are  counted  the  noblest  quah'ties  of  hu- 
man nature.     The  common  courage  of  armies 
is  equally  worthless  with  that  of  the  pirate  and 
the  savage.     A  considerable  part  of  almost 
every  army,  so  far  from  deriving  their  resolu- 
tion from  love  of  country  and-^a  sense  of  justice, 
can  hardly  be  said  to  have  a  country,  and  have 
been   driven   into   the   ranks    by   necessities, 
which  were  generated  by  vice.     These  are  the 
brave  soldiers^  whose  praises  we  hear;  brave 
from  the  absence  of  all  reflection ;  prodigal  of 
life,  because  their  vices  have  robbed  life  of  its 
blessings ;  brave  from  sympathy ;  brave  from 
the  thirst  of  plunder ;  and  especially  brave,  be- 
cause the  sword  of  martial  law  is  hanging  over 
their  heads.     Accordingly,  military  courage  is 
easily  attained   by  the  most  debased  and  un- 
principled men.      The  common   drunkard  of 
the  streets,  who  is  enlisted  in  a  fit  of  intoxica- 
tion, when  thrown  into  the  ranks  among  the 
unthinking  and  profane,  subjected  to  the  rigour 
of  martial  discipline,  familiarized  by  exposure 
to  the  idea  of  danger,  and  menaced  with  death 
if  he  betray  a  symptom  of  fear,  becomes  as 
brave  as  his  officer,  whose  courage  may  often 
be  traced  to  the  same  dread  of  punishment,  and 
to  fear   of  severer  infamy,  tnan   attends   on 
the  cowardice  of  the  common  soldier.    Let  the 


•«<|plvt»^>"     ■ - 


sd 


tribute  of  honour  be  free!  j  and  liberally  given 
to  the  soldier  of  principle,  who  exposes  his  life 
for  a  cause  which  his  conscience  approves,  and 
who  mingles  clemency  and  mercy  with  the  joy 
of  triumph.  But  as  for  the  multitudes  of  mili- 
tary men,  who  regard  war  as  a  trade  by  which 
to  thrive,  who  hire  themselves  to  fight  and  slay 
in  any  cause,  and  who  destroy  their  fellow  be- 
ings with  as  little  concern,  as  the  husbandman 
does  the  vermin  that  infest  his  fields,  I  know  no 
class  of  men  on  whom  admiration  can  more  un- 
justly and  more  injuriously  be  bestowed.  Let 
us  labour,  my  brethren,  to  direct  the  admira- 
tion and  love  of  mankind  to  another  and  infinite- 
ly higher  kind  of  greatness,  to  that  true  mag- 
nanimity, which  is  prodigal  of  ease  and  life  m 
the  service  of  God  and  mankind,  and  which 
proves  its  courage  by  unshaken  adherence, 
amidst  scorn  and  danger,  to  truth  and  virtue. 
Let  the  records  of  past  ages  be  explored,  to 
rescue  from  oblivion,  not  the  wasteful  conqueror, 
whose  path  was  as  the  whirlwind,  but  the  bene- 
factors of  the  human  race,  martyrs  to  the  in- 
terests of  freedom  and  religion,  men  who  have 
broken  the  chain  of  the  slave,  who  have  tra- 
versed the  earth  to  shed  consolation  into  the 
cell  of  the  prisoner,  or  whose  sublime  faculties 
have  explored  and  revealed  useful  and  en- 
nobling truths.  Can  nothing  be  done  to 
hasten  the  time,  when  to  such  men  eloquence 
and  poetry  shall  offer  their  glowing  homage  ? 
when  for  these  the  statue  and  monument  shall 
be  erected,  the  canvass   be  animated,  and  lh«; 

3* 


'■•Sfv- 


■•  wt:;..,..^-,^^ 


4.' 


-^^r^r:^-'*?^-v  -*ih«*^ 


'4f 


■^ 


^    :1 


^fci 


<•  "i* 


;    > 


':i.'... 


■^  ^"-^s-.  J* 


5*     .^ 


m 


1 1^ 


I ' 


n- 


'  He      jri 


^9 


■^ 


laurel  entwined  ?  and  when  to  these  the  adnii- 
ration  of  the  young  shall  be  directed,  as  their 
guides  and  fore-runuers  to  glory  and  immor- 
tality ?  • 

I  proceed  to  another  method  of  promoting 
the  cause  of  peace.  Let  Christian  ministers 
exhibit  with  greater  clearness  and  distinrtness» 
than  ever  they  have  done,  the  pacifick  and  be- 
nevolent spirit  of  Christianity.  My  brethren* 
this  spirit  ought  to  hoid  the  same  place  in  our 

£  reaching,  which  it  holds  in  the  gospel  of  our 
lOrd.  Instead  of  being  crowded  and  lost 
among  other  subjects,  it  should  stand  in  the 
front  of  Christian  graces ;  it  should  be  incul- 
cated as  the  life  and  essence  of  our  ixiigion. 
We  should  teach  men,  that  charity  is  greater 
than  faith  and  hope ;  that  God  is  love  or  be- 
nevolence ;  and  that  love  is  the  brightest  com- 
munication of  divinity  to  the  human  soul.  We 
should  exhibit  Jesus  in  all  the  amiableness  of  his 
character,  now  shedding  tears  over  Jerusalem, 
and  now,  his  blood  on  CalvaA/,  and  in  his  last 
hours  recommending  bib  own  sublime  love  as  the 
badge  and  distinction  of  his  followers.  We 
should  teach  men,  that  it  is  the  property  of  the 
benevolence  of  Christianity,  to  diffuse  itself  like 
the  light  and  rain  of  heaven,  to  disdain  the  lim- 
its of  rivers,  mountains,  or  oceans,  by  which  na- 
tions are  divided,  and  to  embrace  every  human 
being  as  a  brother.  Let  us  never  forget,  that 
our  preaching  is  evangelical,  just  in  proportion 
as  it  inculcates  and  awakens  this  disinterested 
imd  unbounded  charity ;  and  that  our  hearers 


^'1.  .*  * 


*i 


v:-*.  ^-5 


.1  ! 


ai 


*  .' 


tre  Christians,  just  as  far  and  no  farther,  thas 
they  delight  in  peace  and  beneficence. 

ft  is  a  painful  truth,  which  ought  not  to  he 
suppressed,  that  the  pacifick  influence  of  the 
gospel  has  been  greatly  obstructed  by  the  dis- 
position, which  has  prevailed  in  all  ages,  and 
especially  among  Christian  miiiisteis,  to  give 
importance  to  the  peculiarities  of  sects,  and  to 
rear  walls  of  partition  between  different  de- 
nominations. Shame  ought  to  cover  the  face 
of  the  believer,  when  he  remembers^  that  under 
no  religion  have  intolerance  and  persecution 
raged  more  fiercely,  than  under  the  gospel  of 
the  meek  and  forbearing  Saviour.  Christians 
have  made  the  earth  to  reek  with  blood  and  to 
resound  with  denunciation.  Can  we  wonder, 
that,  while  the  spirit  of  war  has  been  cherished 
in  the  very  bosom  of  the  church,  it  has  con- 
tinued to  ravage  among  the  nations.  My 
brethren,  let  not  the  delusions  of  the  dark  ages  *' 
be  perpetual.  Let  us  remember,  that  Christian- 
ity IS  a  spirit,  rather  than  a  doctrine,  and  that 
this  spirit  is  universal  love ;  and  in  our  preach- 
ing, and  in  our  lives,  let  us  bear  perpetual  testi- 
mony to  this  great  characteristick  of  the  gos- 
pel. It  is  believed,  that  were  the  true  spirit  of 
Christianity  to  be  inculcated  with  but  half  the 
zeal,  which  has  been  wasted  on  doubtful  and 
disputed  doctrines,  a  sympathy,  a  cooperation 
might  in  a  very  short  time  be  produced  among 
Christians  of  every  nation,  most  propitious  to 
the  pacification  of  the  world.  In  consequence 
of  toe  progress  of  knowledge  and  the  exten- 


I 


>»^ 


# 


M 


ir.'t^-^^*''^ 


««js 


32 


sion  of  commerce,  Christians  of  both  hemis- 
pheres are  at  this  moment  brought  nearer  to 
one  another,  than  at  any  former  period ;  and 
an  intercourse,  founded  on  rehgious  sympa- 
thies, is -gradually  connecting  the  most  distant 
regions.  Christians  of  different  tongues  are 
beginning  to  unite  their  efforts  in  support  of 
that  cause,  which,  by  its  subhmltj  and  purltj 
obscures,  and  almost  annihilates  those  perisha- 
ble interests,  about  which  states  are  divided. 
What  a  powerful  weapon  is  furnished  by  this 
new  bond  of  union  to  tne  ministers  and  friends 
of  peace !  Should  not  the  auspicious  moment 
be  seized  to  inculcate  on  all  Christians  in  all 
regions,  that  they  owe  their  first  allegiance  to 
their  common  Lord  in  heaven,  whose  first,  and 
last,  and  great  command  is — love  ?  Should  they 
not  be  taught  to  look  with  a  shuddering  abhor- 
rence on  war,  which  continually  summons  to 
the  field  of  battle,  under  opposing  standards^ 
the  followers  of  the  same  Saviour,  and  com- 
mands them  to  imbrue  their  hands  in  each 
others  blood  ?  Has  not  the  time  arrived,  when 
the  dreadful  insensibility  of  Christians  on  this 
subject  may  be  removed ;  when  the  repug- 
nance of  the  gospel  to  this  inhuman  custom 
may  be  carried  with  power  to  every  pious 
heart;  and  when  all  who  love  the  LordJ^esus, 
the  prince  of  peace,  may  be  brought  to  feel, 
and  with  one  solemn  voice  to  pronounce,  that 
of  all  men  he  is  most  stained  with  murder,  and 
most  obnoxious  to  the  wrath  of  God,  who,  en- 
trusted with    power  to    bless,  becomes  the 


%• 


^^'    :0 


33 

scourge,  and  curse,  and  ravager  of  the  creation; 
scatters  slaughter,  famine,  devastation,  and  be* 
reavement  through  the  earth ;  arms  man  against 
his  brother  ;  multiplies  widows  and  fatherless 
children  ;  and  sends  thousands  of  unprepared 
souls  to  be  his  accusers  at  the  judgment  seat  of 
God  ? — Once  let  Christians  of  everj  nation  be 
brought  to  espouse  the  cause  of  peace  with  one 
heart  and  one  voice,  and  their  labour  will  not 
be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  Human  affairs  will 
rapidly  assume  a  new  and  milder  aspect.  The 
predicted  ages  of  peace  will  dawn  on  the 
world.  Publick  opinion  will  be  purified.  The 
false  lustre  of  the  ncro  will  grow  dim ;  a  nobler 
order  of  character  will  be  admired  and  dif- 
fused; the  kingdoms  of  the  world  will  gra- 
dually become  the  kingdoms  of  God  and  of  his 
Christ.  -  : 

1  might  easily  extend  this  head  by  the  sug- 
gestion of  other  methods,  by  which  ministers 
should  resist  the  causes  of  war.  But  I  will  only 
add  ;  let  this  subject  recur  more  frequently  in 
our  preaching.  Let  us  exhibit  to  the  hearts 
and  consciences  of  men  the  woes  and  guilt 
of  war,  with  all  the  c  vjrgy  of  deep  convic- 
tion and  strong  emotion.  Let  us  labour 
to  associate  images  of  horrour  and  infamy 
with  this  unchristian  custom  in  the  minds  of 
the  young ;  and  awaken,  at  once,  their  sym- 
pathy towards  its  victims,  and  their  indig- 
nation agains^  '  imposing  and  dazzling  crimes. 
To  men  of  i  vt  .urous  and  daring  minds,  who 
thirst  for  at    evements  which  bear  the  stamp 


B 


I  I 


't      ,v 


4 


*;  *i 


■^• 


% 


^ 


r* 


34 


of  greatness,  let  us  point  out  services  to  huma% 
ity  and  religion  which  demand  the  most  power- 
s  ful  energies  of  our  nature.     Let  us  teach  and 
show,  that  war  is  not  necessary  as  a  field  for 
;«^  greatness  and  glory,  but  that  peace  and  philan- 
'^  thropy  give  scope  to  generous  enterprize,  and 
furnisn  objects  commensurate  with  the  noblest 
impulses  and  boldest  aspirings  of  the  heart. 
cW      JVIy  friends,  I  did  intend,  but  I  have  not  time, 
.  to  notice  the  arguments  which  are   urged   in 
-f  isupport  of  war.     Let   me  only  say,  that  the 
common   argument,  that  war  is  necessary  to 
awaken  the  boldness,  energy,  and  noblest  quali- 
ties of  human  nature,   will,  I  hope,  receive  a 
practical   refutation  in   the  friends  of  philan- 
thropy and  peace.   Let  it  appear  in  your  lives, 
that  you  need  not  this  spark  from  hell  to  kindle 
an  heroick  resolution  in  your  breasts.     Let  it 
'  .appear,  that  a  pacifick  spirit  has  no  affinity 
with  a   tame  and  feeble  character.      Let  us 
prove,  that  courage,  the  virtue  which  has  been 
thought  to  flourish  most  in  the  rough  field  of 
war,  may  be  reared  to  a  more  generous  height, 
and  to  a  firmer  texture,  in  the  bosom  of  peace. 
Let  it  be  seen,  that  it  is  not  fear,  but  principle, 
which  has  made  us  the  enemies  of  war.     In 
T^    #  every  enterprise  of  philanthropy    which   de- 
V      mands  daring,  and  sacrifice,  and  exposure  to 
'  ;         hardship  and  toil,  let  us  embark  with  serenity 
•*  ^  V  &nd  joy.    Be  it  our  part,  to  exhibit  an  undaunt- 
\  ^.     ed,   unshaken,   unwearied   resolution,   not   in 
spreading  ruin,  but  in  serving  God  and  man- 
«      kind,  in  alleviating  human  misery,  in  diffusing 


.*» 


% 


►.^»ivS»tJV«« ... 


-..  i"^^ 


•»*'.   ff. 


35 


'^W 


truth  and  virtue,  and  especially  in  opposing  ,  . 
war.     The  doctrines  of  Christianity  have  had^ 
many  martyrs.     Let  us  be  willing,  if  God  shall  %^ 
require  it,  to  be  martyrs    to   its   spirit — the  * 
neglected,  insulted  spirit  of  peace  ana  love.    In 
a  better  service  we  cannot  live — in  a  nobler 
cause  we  cannot  die.     It  is  the  cause  of  Jesus 
Christ,  supported  by  almighty  goodness,  and 
appointed  to  triumph  over  the  passions  and  de- 
lusions of  men,  the  customs  of  ages,  and  the 
fallen  monuments  of  the  forgotten  conqueror. 


%' 


#. 


0- 


* 


il^i 


-t 


•'I 


r>.- 


■M  ''■■a 


•il' 


n  i 


*^ 


irnfi  END. 


.y*  ^Vf 


'r»- 


^: 


('■! 


^ 
4 


# 


M. 


^%^..;? 


-r' 


•• 


\i 


f  I  it . 

'  i-'ii- 
1 ' 


NOTE. 


,ltf 


I  HAVE  deferred  to  this  place  a  few  remarks  on  the 
arguments  which  are  usually  adduced  in  support  of  war. 

War,  it  is  said,  kindles  patriotism ;- by  fighting  forouv 
eountry,  we  learn  to  love  it — But  the  patriotism,  which 
is  cherished  by  war,  is  ordinarily  false  and  spurioVs,  a 
vice  and  not  a  virtue,  a  scourge  to  the  world,  a  narrow^ 
unjust  passion,  which  aims  to  exalt  a  particular  state  on 
the  humiliation  and  destruction  of  other  nations.  A 
genuine,  enlightened  patriot  discerns,  that  the  welfare  of 
his  own  country  is  involved  in  the  general  progress  of 
society  ;  and,  in  the  character  of  a  patriot  as  well  as  of  a 
Christian,  he  rejoices  in  the  lil)erty  and  prosperity  of 
other  communities,  and  is  anxious  to  maintain  with  them 
the  relations  of  peace  and  amity.  „-  *'^ 

It  is  said,  that  a  military  spirit  is  the  defence  of  a 
country.  But  it  more  frequently  endangers  the  vital 
interests  of  a  nation,  by  embroiling  it  with  other  states. 
This  spirit,  like  every  other  passion,  is  impatient  for 
gratification,  and  often  precipitates  a  country  into  unne- 
cessary war.  A  people  have  no  need  of  a  military  spirit. 
Let  them  he  attached  to  their  government  and  institutions 
by  habit,  by  early  associations,  and  especially  by  experi- 
mental conviction  of  their  excellence,  and  they  will  never 
want  means  or  spirit  to  defend  thena. 

War  is  recommended  as  a  method  of  redressing  na' 
tional  grievances.  But  unhappily,  the  weapons  of  war, 
from  their  very  nature,  are  often  wielded  most  suc- 
cessfully by  the  unprincipled.  Justice  and  force  have 
little  congeniality.  Should  not  Christians  every  where 
strive  to  promote  the  reference  of  national  as  well  as  of 
individual  dis|)utes  to  an  impartial  umpire  ?  Is  a  project 
of  this  nature  more  extravagant  than  the  idea  of  reducing 
savage  hordes  to  a  state  of  (Regular  society  ?  The  last 
has  been  accomplished..  Is  tlie  first  to  be  abandoned  in. 
despair?. 


*"i   .-^1 


■1         --Wi: 


•rir 


^f^ 


4<  ^iv  ....Ajilk 


XmmHMmw  #4l|^«4f Jd«M'^  <  ' 


til 


38 


■■ ' 


■^ 


It  is  said,  that  war  sweeps  off  the  idle,  dissolute,  and 
vicious  members  of  the  community.  Monstrous  argu- 
ment !  If  a  government  may  for  this  end  plunge  a  nation 
into  war,  it  may  with  equal  justice  consign  to  the  execu- 
tioner any  number  of  its  8ut\ject8,  whom  it  may  deem  a 
burden  on  the  state.  The  fact  is,  that  war  commonly 
generates  as  many  profligates  as  it  destroys.  A  dis- 
banded army  Alls  the  community  with  at  least  a^s  many 
abandoned  members  as  at  first  it  absorbed. — There  is 
anotlier  methoil,  not  quite  so  summary  as  war,  of  ridding 
a  country  of  unproBtable  and  injurious  citizens,  but 
vastly  more  effectual;  and  a  method,  which  will  be 
applied  with  spirit  and  success,  just  in  proportion  as  war 
shall  yield  to  the  light  and  spirit  of  Christianity.  I  refer 
to  the  exerkions,  which  Christians  have  commenced,  for 
the  reformation  and  improvement  of  the  ignorant  and 
poor,  and  especially  for  the  instruction  and  moral  culture 
of  indigent  children.  Christians  are  entreated  to  per- 
severe and  abound  in  these  godlike  efTorts.  By  diffusing 
moral  and  religious  [)rinciples  and  sober  and  industrious 
habits  through  the  labouring  classes  of  society,  they  will 
dry  up  one  important  source  of  war.  They  will  destroy 
in  a  considerable  degree  the  materials  of  armies.  In 
proportion  as  these  classes  become  well-principled  and 
industrious,  poverty  will  disappear ;  the  population  of  a 
country  will  be  more  and  more  proportioned  to  its  re- 
sources ;  and  of  course  the  number  will  be  diminished 
of  those,  who  have  no  alternative  but  beggary  or  a  camp. 
The  moral  care,  which  is  at  the  present  day  extended  to 
the  poor,  is  one  of  the  most  honourable  features  of  our 
age.  Christians !  remember,  that  pour  proper  warfare 
is  with  ignorance  and  vice,  and  exhibit  here  the  same 
unwearied  and  inventive  enei^y,  which  has  marked  the 
warriours  of  the  world. 

It  is  sometimes  said,  that  a  military  spirit  favours  liberty. 
But  how  is  it,  that  nations,  aflor  flghting  for  ages,  are  so 
generally  enslaved.  The  truth  is,  that  liberty  has  no 
foundation  but  in  private  and  publick  virtue;  and  virtue, 
as  we  have  seen,  is  not  the  common  growth  of  war. 

But  the  great  argument  remains  to  be  discussed.  It  is 
said,  that  without  war  to  excite  and  invigorate  the 
human  tnind,  some  of  its  noblest  energies  will  slumber, 


♦«f' 


i*li*«|i»W|— - 


•^LiJm 


A-.-— 


«»wr.*- 


39 


and  its  highest  qualities,  courage,  magnanimity,  fortitude, 
will  perish. — To  this  I  answer,  tliat  if  war  is  to  be  encour- 
aged among  nations,  because  it  nourishes  energy  and 
heroism,  on  the  same  principle,  war  in  our  families,  and 
war  between  neighbourhoods,  villages,  and  cities  ought 
to  be  encouraged ;  for  such  contests  would  equally  tend 
to  promote  heroick  daring  and  contempt  of  death.  Why 
shall  not  different  provinces  of  the  same  empire  annually 
meet  with  the  weapons  of  death,  to  k^ep  alive  their 
courage  ?  We  shrink  at  this  suggestion  with  horrour ; 
but  why  shall  contests  of  nations,  rather  than  of  provinces 
or  families,  find  shelter  under  this  barbarous  argument  ? 

I  observe  again ;  if  war  be  a  blessing,  because  it  awa- 
kens energy  and  courage,  then  the  savage  state  is  pe- 
culiarly privileged ;  for  every  savage  is  a  soldier,  and 
his  whole  modes  of  life  tend  to  form  him  to  invincible 
resolution.  On  the  same  principle,  those  early  periods 
of  society  were  happy,  when  men  were  called  to  con- 
tend, not  only  with  one  another,  but  with  beasts  of  prey ; 
for  to  these  excitements  we  owe  the  heroism  of  Hercules 
and  Thessus.  On  the  same  principle,  the  feudal  ages 
were  more  favoured  than  the  present ;  for  then  every 
baron  was  a  military  chief,  every  castle  frowned  defiance, 
and  every  vassal  was  trained  to  arms — And  do  we  really 
wish,  that  the  earth  should  again  be  overrun  with  mon* 
sters,  or  abandoned  to  savage  or  feudal  violence,  in 
order  that  heroes  may  be  multiplied  ?  If  not,  let  us  cease 
to  vindicate  war  as  aff(>rding  excitement  to  energy  and 
courage. 

I  repeat,  what  I  have  observed  in  the  preceding  dis- 
course; we  need  not  war  to  awaken  human  energy. 
There  is  at  least  equal  scope  for  courage  and  magna- 
nimity in  blessing  'as  in  destroying  mankind.  The  con- 
dition of  the  human  race  offers  inexhaustible  objects  for 
enterprize,  and  fortitude,  and  magnanimity.  In  relieving 
the  countries  wants  and  sorrows  of  the  world,  in  explor- 
ing unknown  regions,  in  carrying  the  arts  and  virtues  of 
civilizRiion  to  unimproved  communities,  in  extending  the 
boundd  of  knowledge,  in  diffusing  the  spirit  of  freedom, 
and  especially  in  spreading  the  light  and  influence  of 
Christianity,  how  much  may  be  dared,  how  much  en- 
dured?    Pliilanthropy  invites  us  to    services,    which 


f\' 


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I  i   I 


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t'vJ 


40 


demand  the  most  iatense,  and  elevated,  and  resolute,  and 
adventureus  activity.  Let  it  not  be  imagined,  that  were 
nations  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  Christianity,  they  would 
slumber  in  ignoble  ease,  that  instead  of  the  high  minded 
murderers,  who  are  formed  on  the  present  system  of  war, 
we  should  ha.ve  effeminate  and  timid  slaves.  Christian 
benevolence  is  as  active  as  it  is  forl^earing.  Let  it  once 
form  the.charncter  of  a  people,  and  it  will  attach  them 
to  eVery  important  interest  of  society.  It  will  call  forth 
sympathy  in  behalf  of  the  suffering  in  every  region 
under  heaven.  It  will  give  a  new  extension  to  the  heart, 
open  a  wider  8|)here  to  enterprise,  inspire  a  courage 
of  exhaust  less  resource,  and  prompt  to  every  sacrifice 
and  exposure  for  the  imprOv^Anent  and  happiness  of 
the  human  race.  The  energy  of  this  principle  has  bee' 
tried  and  displayed  in  the  fortitude  of  the  martyr,  a.id 
in  the  patient  labours  of  those  who  have  carried  the 
gospel  inta  the  dreary,  abodes  of  idolatry.  Away  tlien 
with  the  argument,  that  war  is  needed  as  a  nursery  of 
heroism.  The  school  of  the  peaceful  Redeemer  is  infi- 
nitely more  adapted  to  teach  the  nobler,  as  well  as  the 
jniider  virtues,  which  adora  humanity. 


■V.  I 


,>. 


•;-r:i*Sg*»^1K^«*^"-~-''^i*^-<*'s^^^ 


solute,  and 
,  that  were 
ihey  vrould 
igh  minded 
em  of  war, 
Clirietian 

et  it  once 
ittabh  them 
il  call  forth 
ery  region 
o  the  heart, 

a  courage 
ry  sacrifice 
appiness  of 
)le  has  bee' 
martyr,  a. A 
carried  the 
Away  tlien 

nursery  of 

emer  is  infi- 

well  as  the 


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